Friday, August 31, 2012

Suarez saves Liverpool late

Original article - A late goal from Luis Suarez
proved enough to send Liverpool into the group
stages of the Europa League.

The 88th minute winner was a
get out of jail card for Suarez and Pepe Reina, who had earlier allowed a shot
from David Templeton to squeeze under his body.

Brendan Rodgers' side
dominated in all areas but a whole host of missed chances, in particular from Suarez,
prevented the Reds from adding to their one goal win at Tynecastle.

Liverpool were forced to rally late as thirty minutes of
extra-time loomed. Suarez made up for two earlier misses by scoring a fine
leveller two minutes from time.

The Reds were deserved
victors but the win was achieved with the exception of the club's most
expensive player. At half-time it was confirmed that Andy Carroll had put pen
to paper on a season long loan deal to West Ham.

After being rested for the
first leg in Edinburgh, Steven
Gerrard and Luis Suarez returned to the starting line up alongside Martin
Skrtel, Reina and Jamie Carragher. Jordan Henderson was also recalled and Stewart
Downing deployed at left back.

Hearts were unchanged from
the first leg, as skipper Marius Zaliukas had recovered from a thigh injury to
play.

John McGlynn's men were not
intimidated by the reputation of their illustrious opponents and had a short
spell of sustained play in the Reds half early. But, despite a lack of a
cutting edge, Liverpool were dominant for most
of the match and deservedly enter the draw for the next round.